Russell Thomas Young, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Montana 2023

Related Federal Cases

Derick Colin Wilkinson, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, ND 2024 · Washington
Lestat Cree Valdez Charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Mescalero NM 2023 · New Mexico
Dylan Blue Thunder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, SD 2024 · South Dakota
Jordale Thomas Redwolf, Assault with Steel-Toe Boots, Wyola MT, 2024 · Mississippi
Eric Richard Bruns, Assault on Flight Crew, Juneau AK, 2023 · Washington

Table of Contents

Assault on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation Leaves Victim with Serious Injuries

A Hays man, Russell Thomas Young, 40, was sentenced to 6 months in prison for his role in a violent assault on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.

The crime took place on September 23, 2023, at the residence of John Doe on the reservation. According to court documents, Doe and his wife were doing yard work outside their home when Young began to act strangely, staring into the windows of the home.

Young eventually entered Doe’s home and went into the basement, where he began to speak as though other people were with him. Doe and his wife then heard Young and ordered him to leave. However, Young emerged from the basement with a screwdriver in his hand and attacked Doe, stabbing him in the face with the screwdriver and continuing to punch and strike him until Doe’s wife intervened, stopping the assault by striking Young with a fishing pole.

The victim’s wife quickly called 911 and reported a fire in the home, which was later extinguished by law enforcement. Young was taken into custody and charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Russell Thomas Young pleaded guilty to the charge in October 2025 and was sentenced to 6 months in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and investigated by the FBI, Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services, Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, and Phillips County Sheriff’s Office.

The sentencing of Russell Thomas Young serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for violent crimes committed on Native American reservations.

Young will serve his sentence in federal prison, where he will have opportunities to receive treatment and counseling to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to his behavior.